Author: PreEmptive Team

Developers and organizations are today faced with the constant threat of malicious actors stealing their software programs. And that’s not just it; threat actors can today use an application’s source code to either make it unavailable, steal sensitive data, or use it for ransom. That’s why organizations must secure sensitive software components and algorithms. One technique they can use is code encryption. Code encryption refers to transforming an application’s source code into an unreadable format (ciphertext) in a process known as cryptography.

⚖️ Code Encryption Versus Data Encryption 

Because data encryption is one of the most recognized types of encryption, many people often confuse code encryption with it. However, the two refer to different things, even though, in essence, they use the same technique (cryptography) for protecting applications. 

As the name implies, data encryption involves protecting or securing data from attackers. It is the process of changing sensitive data from a format that can be read and understood by humans into one that needs deciphering. 

✅ Code Encryption Benefits

Code encryption prevents malicious actors from stealing software’s intellectual property and using reverse engineering. It’s also important for enhancing data security. 

Software Intellectual Property Protection

In a highly competitive software market, competitors will do anything to get ahead of everyone else. It shouldn’t, therefore, be surprising that these individuals would go as far as stealing an application’s intellectual property, which includes its unique algorithms, innovative ideas, and proprietary features.

With code encryption, developers and organizations can prevent intellectual property theft by scrambling the source code into an unreadable format, thereby safeguarding their competitive edge.

Reverse Engineering Prevention

Reverse engineering involves deciphering how an application works by analyzing its source code. While reverse engineering is considered legal if done with the right intention, it can sometimes be used by malicious actors for the wrong reasons, such as creating duplicates for commercial advantage and finding vulnerabilities to exploit.  

Enhancing Data Security

Even though organizations can enhance data security with data encryption, code encryption can also help, especially if the application they are using contains or handles sensitive data. By encrypting the source code, developers ensure that malicious actors can’t access or tamper with the data these applications process. 

⚙️ Code Encryption Techniques and Methods

There are several techniques developers can use to encrypt source code, such as:

Code Obfuscation

Obfuscation refers to making code hard to understand by changing its executables while maintaining its functionality. This process is especially useful for protecting applications from revere engineering by changing the code’s logic. Developers can use either partial or complete obfuscation to protect applications through several methods:

• Rename Obfuscation — This technique involves renaming variables, functions, and classes in the code to hide their original purpose.
• String Encryption — It involves encrypting strings within the code, making it challenging for attackers to identify sensitive information.
• Control Flow Obfuscation — Developers change how an application executes instructions (control flow) to make it less predictable for hackers trying to reverse engineer.
• Transforming the Instruction Pattern — This involves changing the arrangement of machine instructions, which makes it difficult to understand how the code operates.
• Inserting Dummy Code — Without affecting an application’s functionality, developers can add extra snippets of useless code to confuse anyone trying to understand it.
• Removing Unused Metadata — Since metadata can give clues about the origin of the source code, developers can remove it to make it harder for hackers.
• Binary Linking/Merging — This technique involves combining binary files or libraries to create a single executable.

Code Tokenization

Instead of leaving source code as is, developers can break it up into smaller units, symbols, or tokens. After tokenization, these tokens are then encrypted individually to ensure hackers don’t decipher them. 

Cryptographic Algorithms

Using cryptographic algorithms for code encryption involves using well-established mathematical procedures and techniques to scramble source code into an unreadable format for both humans and machines. There are several cryptographic algorithms developers can leverage:

• Symmetric Key Algorithms
• Asymmetric Key Algorithms
• Digital Signature Algorithms
• Hash Functions
• Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
• Key Exchange Algorithms

Examples of What Happens Without Code Encryption

For developers and organizations that are still skeptical about code encryption and its importance, here are some real-life attacks that could have been prevented with source code encryption:

Electronic Arts (EA) Source Code Breach

In 2021, Electronic Arts (EA) fell victim to hackers who stole one of its most popular source codes, Frostbite, that powers games such as FIFA. According to reports, the source code wasn’t the only thing the hackers accessed — they also obtained 780 GB of data. Confirming the reports, an EA spokesman said that while this was true, the hackers did not access player information, which could have resulted in exposing sensitive data for millions of accounts. 

Nvidia Source Code Theft

In February 2022, hackers were able to breach Nvidia, a chip-making company in the U.S., causing several problems. For one, the hackers accessed source code for the company’s Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology used in improving the resolution of low-quality images. The hackers went further and leaked the source code online. They also obtained access to Nvidia’s proprietary hash rate limiter for cryptocurrency mining as well as data belonging to company employees. 

📑 Code Encryption Best Practices and Strategies

While code encryption is essential for software security, organizations must approach it in a way that ensures it is foolproof. 

One way to ensure that code encryption is effective is choosing the right code encryption tools. Developers must understand that while one tool might work for a similar application, they should consider their application’s unique requirements by evaluating factors such as the level of security required, performance, compatibility, etc.

It’s also important to understand that code encryption isn’t just a one-time thing. Organizations must keep checking for new vulnerabilities in their source code that hackers can exploit and, therefore, improve their code encryption methods.  

Lastly, code encryption is just one small piece of the bigger software security. To ensure applications are secure, developers must combine code encryption with other forms of security, such as authentication and access controls.   

🔐 How PreEmptive Can Help

Code encryption isn’t a nice-to-have thing for developers and organizations that want to protect their software applications; it’s a must-have. With Dotfuscator, developers can ensure that source code is secure, not just during development but even after launching the application. Dotfuscator utilizes string encryption — an effective and reliable method of code encryption — to effectively scramble an application’s source code.

Start your free trial with PreEmptive today and protect your apps against reverse engineering and the data breaches it brings.

iOS is well-known for its robust security framework, but vulnerabilities in the operating system still exist. These are flaws or weaknesses in the iOS operating system that attackers can exploit to gain unauthorized access, leak sensitive data, or compromise device security.

iOS security vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access to personal information, financial data, and sensitive communications, compromising user privacy and data integrity. On the device security front, such vulnerabilities may allow attackers to take over devices, install malware, or render systems inoperable.

For example, hackers could post users’ photos online or disclose confidential client information or company financials. In a corporate environment, hackers could use a compromised iOS device as an entry point to the wider network, resulting in operational disruptions, data loss, and costly downtime.

In this article, you’ll discover five common iOS vulnerabilities, how users can protect themselves, and how developers can enhance iOS security.

Five Common iOS Vulnerabilities

Common iOS vulnerabilities span a range of issues. Some more common ones that have been relevant recently include remote code execution, privilege escalation, data breaches, application-specific weaknesses, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Let’s look at these one by one.

1. Remote Code Execution   

Remote code execution in iOS allows attackers to execute malicious code and seize control of devices remotely. An attacker can perform this type of attack without any interaction from the victim, potentially gaining unauthorized access to the system, stealing data, or exploiting the device’s resources for malicious activities.

Hackers perform remote code execution attacks by exploiting vulnerabilities in software or systems, such as unpatched security flaws, to run malicious code. Users can protect themselves by:

• Updating: Updating software regularly to patch known vulnerabilities closes security gaps and prevents attackers from exploiting outdated systems.
• Monitoring: Using robust security solutions that include real-time monitoring helps detect and promptly address unusual activity.
• Browsing: Practicing safe browsing habits helps avoid downloading or clicking on suspicious links that could execute such code. It reduces the risk of inadvertently allowing malicious software onto devices.

2. Privilege Escalation

Privilege escalation vulnerabilities are security weaknesses that allow an attacker to gain elevated access to resources that a lower-level application or user shouldn’t be able to access. It lets the attacker perform unauthorized actions, such as accessing confidential data, changing configuration settings, or taking control of the operating system. The hacker wouldn’t be able to do this with lower-level permissions.

Users can protect themselves by actively updating their systems with the latest security patches and employing security tools that monitor for unauthorized attempts. Additionally, they can give each person or program the fewest permissions they need to get their work done.

3. Data Leakage

Data leakage occurs when sensitive information is accidentally exposed or intentionally stolen from a system, potentially leading to unauthorized access and misuse of personal, financial, or business information. It can happen through various means, such as security breaches, software vulnerabilities, or during data transfer between different systems.

Hackers perform data leakage attacks by exploiting weak security systems, phishing, or installing spyware to siphon off sensitive information. Users can protect themselves by: 

• Using strong, unique passwords for different accounts
• Enabling two-factor authentication
• Being cautious about sharing personal information, especially on public or unsecured networks

4. App Vulnerabilities

App vulnerabilities refer to weaknesses or flaws in a mobile application that cybercriminals can exploit to carry out malicious activities, such as stealing data, injecting malware, or disrupting app functionality. These vulnerabilities can stem from inadequate coding practices, failure to update software, or not properly securing data within the app.

Users can protect themselves from app vulnerabilities by: 

• Downloading apps only from trusted sources like the official App Store
• Updating apps to the latest versions regularly
• Reviewing app permissions to ensure they only have access to necessary information

5. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Another common iOS security vulnerability is “man-in-the-middle” attacks. These occur when an attacker intercepts communication between two parties, typically over an unsecured Wi-Fi network, to eavesdrop or alter the transmitted data. They could lead to the interception of sensitive data like login credentials, credit card numbers, and personal information.

To protect against this type of attack, users should use secure and encrypted connections and virtual private networks.

Blastpass: A Real-World Example of iOS Vulnerabilities

The so-called Blastpass vulnerability Apple disclosed in September 2023 underscores the ongoing battle against iOS device security threats. It allowed attackers to exploit devices without user interaction, an alarming prospect for any iOS user.

Blastpass leveraged a zero-click exploit, meaning hackers could trigger it without user engagement, a method that is increasingly common among sophisticated cyber threats. Apple has responded with a security patch to mitigate this vulnerability, as detailed in their updates. 

Statistics on zero-click exploits illustrate their rise — the first nine months of 2022 saw nine zero-click attacks, while the same period in 2023 saw 13. For users, the best defense against such exploits is to install Apple’s latest updates promptly.

Mitigating iOS Security Risks for In-house Developers

In-house corporate developers face many challenges in ensuring the security of their organization’s iOS applications. The following best practices provide a brief roadmap for in-house developers aiming to fortify their organizations against potential iOS security vulnerabilities:

• Enforce Mobile App Security Protocols: Implement strict mobile app security protocols, including end-to-end encryption and secure authentication methods. These measures help protect sensitive data and prevent unauthorized access to corporate mobile applications.
• Prevent Data Breaches on iOS: Use data leakage prevention tools that monitor and block the transmission of sensitive information outside the corporate network. Regular security audits and employee training on data handling are also crucial in minimizing risks of data exposure.
• Regularly Address iOS App Vulnerabilities: Use automated tools to scan for vulnerabilities within apps and apply fixes before attackers can exploit them. 
• Stay Updated With iOS Security Updates: Prioritize the integration of the latest iOS security updates into the development cycle. This includes testing for compatibility and functionality to ensure that security enhancements are active and do not disrupt business operations.
• Adhere to iOS Security Best Practices: Use secure coding techniques, regularly review code for potential security issues, and ensure all third-party libraries and software development kits (SDKs) used in the app development are up to date and from reputable sources.

Wrapping Up: Vigilance and Protection in iOS Security

While iOS is known for its security, vulnerabilities persist, posing risks to data and device integrity. To combat these threats, users and developers must be vigilant, adopting best practices and investing in DevSecOps. 

PreEmptive’s suite of products, including Dotfuscator, DashO, JSDefender — and now Defender for iOS — plays a crucial role in this defense strategy. By providing multiple layers of protection through obfuscation and active runtime checks, PreEmptive helps developers safeguard applications against hacking and tampering, ensuring the security of intellectual property, sensitive data, and revenue.

Android is by far the most popular OS on Earth. Android powers over 75% of tablets and smartphones for over 2.5 billion users. But Android’s popularity means users face a greater level of threat. Some 87% of Android devices have serious security vulnerabilities. 

To combat security threats, developers must incorporate ample security into their Android apps. Below, we’ll explain some methods to secure Android-powered apps. But first a pro tip: 

One of the most secure and efficient ways to reduce vulnerabilities is using a smart app protection solution. PreEmptive’s seamless tools harden and shield apps, preventing the likelihood of data breaches and cyber threats. 

Understanding Data Security Risks in Android Apps

Why are cyber criminals drawn to Android applications? Popularity is one reason. The more popular an OS is, the more it’s targeted. Also, specific weaknesses allow hackers and malware to enter Google Play Store apps more easily. So, users who forget to update their OS are more vulnerable to bad actors.

Data Encryption Techniques for Android Apps

Hacking, malware, ransomware, and data breaches are rising, making it a nonnegotiable for developers to implement data encryption and secure coding practices in Android apps. Even basic security measures significantly reduce the likelihood of succumbing to such nefarious behavior as an SQL injection.

Developers must familiarize themselves with obfuscation, encryption, and security techniques, and incorporate them into their Android apps. This way, they can rest easy after releasing their Android apps.

🔐 Secure Data Storage on Android Devices

Safe storage is essential for any Android application. Developers need easy paths with intuitive access controls to navigate private third-party libraries and security tools for storing sensitive files. Additionally, developers must design apps to prevent private information storage on public databases. 

Don’t assume the onus falls on users. Developers must incorporate security methods that prevent other apps or parties from accessing sensitive data. The Android Application Sandbox feature is critical. This feature allows developers to isolate and regulate apps that store sensitive information, limiting file-sharing access and significantly decreasing the likelihood of unauthorized entry into sensitive files. 

🌐 Securing Network Communication

Haphazard network communication is a recipe for disaster, especially for Android apps. The apps must be built with a secure network protocol, like SSL, which reduces the amount of exposed personal data within public networks.

👥 User Authentication and Authorization

Basic steps, like using the Android Keystore system, greatly enhance authorization protection. Once Android securable objects are placed within the Keystore, developers can layer in restrictions. This helps authenticate legitimate users and deny any unauthorized accounts.

Using tools for runtime memory data protection also greatly helps by constantly analyzing code integrity in real time and avoiding instances of tampering and SQL injection.

⚠️ Data Minimization and Privacy Concerns

Reducing the amounts of stored data, or data minimization, helps eliminate user fears of privacy overreaches. It also creates less work for DevOps teams, eliminating the number of redundancies and backups, and allows developers to focus only on real security issues.

🖥 Secure Data Transmission to Backend Servers

Hackers are always looking to exploit data in transit. This is where encryption protocols, like HTTPS or SSH, come to the rescue by creating a protected tunnel as data moves from one device to another. 

☁️ Secure Cloud Data Storage and Backup

Data at rest is just in need of protection as data in transit. To secure data at rest, whether within the cloud or on physical servers, developers must emphasize strict classifications according to the data’s sensitivity. This includes strict encryption and tokenization techniques. 

✅ Compliance With Data Protection Regulations

Another vital element in securing Android apps is ensuring compliance with data storage, privacy, and protection measures, including:

• Data Privacy Regulations: GDPR, CCPR
• Data Security: PCI DSS
• Accessibility: WCAG ADA

The Importance of Continuous Data Protection in Android Apps

Android is a wildly popular OS with unique vulnerabilities that app developers must understand to defend their code and diminish threats. Reliable, quick, and robust app security for your Android or Java applications is crucial — and that’s what DashO is all about. Developers around the world depend on it for advanced obfuscation and active run-time checks that keep hackers out of the source code. Want to secure your vital apps and avoid data breaches? Start a free trial today.